Young migrant workers left home alone are more likely to commit crimes, according to a recent survey.

Up to 90 percent of migrant workers serving sentences in southern Guangdong province are younger than 26, according to the survey conducted by the human rights research center of Guangzhou University.

"Most young migrant workers who commit crimes were left alone in their hometowns during their childhood," said Xie Jianshe, deputy director of the research center.

The survey polled 72 criminals of the so-called young generation of migrant workers in prisons and found about 80 percent experienced a "lonely childhood," without parental care.

Xie attributed their crimes to inadequate education from families in their childhood. "They usually don't receive higher education. Inadequate education and less care from parents greatly harmed them," Xie said.

Among those polled, up to 76 percent said they went to cities for "a better life" right after quitting school. "Their parents, also working in cities, don't know how to care for and educate their children," Xie said.

Young migrant workers are usually involved in robbery, gang-related crime and sexual offenses, according to the survey.

Up to 81 percent of young criminals are involved in property crimes.

"The income disparity between young migrant workers and their urban counterparts makes them vindictive toward society," Xie said.

The new generation of migrant workers usually refers to those born after 1980 who work in cities.

"Unlike their older counterparts, the new generation of migrant workers begin working in cities right after quitting school, without qualified technical training or higher education," said Wang Chunguang, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Commonly, they have a hard time integrating into the urban lifestyle and work environment, but are unwilling to return home, Wang said.

"In terms of work and lifestyle, they should be treated the way young, urban workers are usually treated," Wang said.

A fair policy for employment, living, education and social security will play a key role to help younger migrant workers integrate better, Wang said.